Aerostatic sign



Feb. 7, 1928.

L. H. WRIGHT AEROSTATIC SIGN Filed Feb. 9, 1927 Ticyfi.

INVENTOR LEN 5 H. Neva/17' ATTORNEY LENIS HOWE WRIGHT, F

1,658,275 PATENT OFFICE.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

AEROSTATIO SIGN.

Application filed February 9, 1927. .Serial No. 186,988.

My invention relates to aerostatic signs, and a purpose of my invention is the provision of a sign in which the letters or other characters thereof constit-i'lting the sign are each individual balloonsso that the letters I will describe only two forms of areo-.

static sign embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In. the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a view showing in perspective one form of aerostatic sign embodying my invention;

95 Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing another form of aerostatic sign embodying my invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view show ing in vertical section one of the sign characters embodied in either of the signs shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The form of sign shown in Figure 1 comprises a plurality of characters, each. of which as illustrated to advantage in Figure 3, comprises a fluid-tight bag 15 formed of rubber, silk or other suitable material and which is adapted to be inflated with a suitable gas for rendering the bag self-sustaining in the air. The construction of the bag is such that when inflated its widest portion is disposed uppermost in order that the character which it represents may be positioned in the air to be readable from the ground. To aid in confining the bag against destruction when inflated, a netting 16 is arranged in embracing relation to the bag.

As shown in Figure 1, the sign is made up of a plurality of characters such as described in connection: with Figure 3, and

these characters are arranged one above the other and held in this superposed position by the provision of a suitable frame constructed of cables. The characters in the present instance constitute letters arranged 1 so as to be readable from the ground in the formation of the word may. The frame comprises a length of cable including vertical portlons 17 and a horizontal portion 18, the vertical port-ions being connected at intervals by transverse cables 19 and at their lower ends by a cable 20. The horizontal cable portion 18 and the transverse cables 19 and 20 are extended through suitable sleeves 21 provided on the bags constituting the letters, the arrangement of the cables and sleeves being such as to maintain each .letter in upright position and to thereby be readily readable from the ground.

Connected to the cable 20 are a plurality of depending cables 22 converging and connected to a swivel 23, the latter, in turn, bemg connected to a master cable 2 1 which constitutes means for rendering the sign as a whole captive, it being understood that the cable is anchored to the ground.

By the provision of the cable 24, the sign can be sustained at any desired height within the air, the swivel connection 23 permittlng rotative movement of the sign as a whole on the cable 24c so that the sign characters and the supporting frame arefree to rotate under the action of the wind. In this manner, the possibility is eliminated of the cables constituting the frame becoming entangled with a possible injury to the bags forming the sign characters.

Referring now to Figure 2, I have here shown another form of aerostatic sign which is substantially identical with that shown in Figure 1, with the exception that the sign characters are arranged one beside the other so as to be readable horizontally. The supporting frame for the characters is such as to maintain the latter in definite relation to each other in order that they may be at all times readable from the ground.

It is important to note that the shape of the sign characters is such as to provide convergent sides, the inclination of which is such as to facilitate the reading of each character from the ground.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of aerostatic signs embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An aerostatic sign comprising sign characters each consisting of an individual balloon, sleeves provided on the upper and nenew lower portions of the helloons, etheme for supporting the characters in speced reeohng relation comprising oebles includin Loon tions threedrfi through the sleeves an other portions connecting the first portions end converging downwardly to a common point, and in master ceble connecting the converging portions to? rendering the sign captive, each of said balloons being widen at the top than at the bottom so as to hove its greater liftin capacity at the top and thereby meintein the characters in upright position.

2. An aerostetic sign comprising sign c'hei'ecters each consisting of on individuel balloon, sleeves provided on the nfpper end lower portions of the balloons to meme for sgipporting the cherecters in spaced teasing r etion comprising cebies includin pottione threaded theongh the sleeves; eng othet portions coecting the first portions end no converging downwardly to a, common point; and e master cable connecting the converging portions for rendering the sign captive. 3. An nerostatic sign comprising sigcharacters, each constitutin balloon, each of the balloons being so shaped as to have greater internal area at the top then at the bottom so that when inflated, a greater lifting force Will be exerted at the top then at the bottom of the balloon to thereby tend to maintain the balloon in an upright position, means for maintaining the charactors in definite and reading relation and. means conneoteci to the first means for rendering the characters ceptive to maintain the letter at e. fixed elevation in the eir for reeding of the characters from the mono.

LENIS HOWE WEI HT.

en individuei 

